CRC Press. 2005. 850 p.
The primary goals of gene therapy are to correct the genetic defects that underlie a
disease process and to provide supplemental therapeutic modality through genetic
engineering. In order to correct genetic deficiency or treat diseases by gene therapy
approaches, it is necessary to formulate and evaluate vector systems that can deliver the
genes to the appropriate tissues and cells in the body in a specific and efficient manner.
Over 75% of current gene therapy is performed using viruses as gene delivery vehicles.
However, with viruses, there are serious conces over issues of toxicity,
immunogenicity, pay load gene size limitations, and difficulty in scale-up for industrial
production.
Nonviral vectors, therefore, have attracted attention from academic and industrial
scientists. Among the nonviral vectors, polymeric systems offer several important
advantages. First, polymers are tremendously versatile and can provide physical,
chemical, and biological properties that are necessary for gene delivery applications.
Second, polymers can be synthesized in a parallel synthesis pathway for high-throughput
screening of biocompatibility and transfection efficiency. Third, various formulations,
designs, and geometries can be made from polymeric materials for specific types of gene
delivery application. Lastly, the surface of polymeric carriers can be easily modified with
biological ligands for specific recognition in the body.
Polymeric Gene Delivery: Principles and Applications is intended to serve as an upto-
date guide and to promote further research by encouraging more scientists to
contribute to this exciting field. In the 40 chapters of Polymeric Gene Delivery:
Principles and Applications, academic and industrial scientists from around the world
who are conducting research in the area of polymeric gene delivery systems are united to
provide the most comprehensive treatment of the subject. The authors of each chapter are
leaders in their respective fields and have contributed to cutting-edge research. Starting
from the introductory chapter by Bob Langer, the book is divided into five sections that
deal with challenges and opportunities in gene delivery (Part I), condensing polymeric
systems (Part II), non-condensing polymeric systems (Part III), microspheres and
nanospheres (Part IV), and specialized delivery systems (Part V).
The primary goals of gene therapy are to correct the genetic defects that underlie a
disease process and to provide supplemental therapeutic modality through genetic
engineering. In order to correct genetic deficiency or treat diseases by gene therapy
approaches, it is necessary to formulate and evaluate vector systems that can deliver the
genes to the appropriate tissues and cells in the body in a specific and efficient manner.
Over 75% of current gene therapy is performed using viruses as gene delivery vehicles.
However, with viruses, there are serious conces over issues of toxicity,
immunogenicity, pay load gene size limitations, and difficulty in scale-up for industrial
production.
Nonviral vectors, therefore, have attracted attention from academic and industrial
scientists. Among the nonviral vectors, polymeric systems offer several important
advantages. First, polymers are tremendously versatile and can provide physical,
chemical, and biological properties that are necessary for gene delivery applications.
Second, polymers can be synthesized in a parallel synthesis pathway for high-throughput
screening of biocompatibility and transfection efficiency. Third, various formulations,
designs, and geometries can be made from polymeric materials for specific types of gene
delivery application. Lastly, the surface of polymeric carriers can be easily modified with
biological ligands for specific recognition in the body.
Polymeric Gene Delivery: Principles and Applications is intended to serve as an upto-
date guide and to promote further research by encouraging more scientists to
contribute to this exciting field. In the 40 chapters of Polymeric Gene Delivery:
Principles and Applications, academic and industrial scientists from around the world
who are conducting research in the area of polymeric gene delivery systems are united to
provide the most comprehensive treatment of the subject. The authors of each chapter are
leaders in their respective fields and have contributed to cutting-edge research. Starting
from the introductory chapter by Bob Langer, the book is divided into five sections that
deal with challenges and opportunities in gene delivery (Part I), condensing polymeric
systems (Part II), non-condensing polymeric systems (Part III), microspheres and
nanospheres (Part IV), and specialized delivery systems (Part V).